Seal hunters rescued near Kotlik

Posted: Sunday, May 02, 2010

KODIAK - A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued five seal hunters 29 miles north of the native village of Kotlik.

Petty Officer Jonathan Lally says the Coast Guard responded after the Kotlik Civilian Search and Rescue team was unable to reach the hunters because of thinning ice. The group consisting of four adults and one child had been hunting for 36 hours and was out of food and water.

The Coast Guard crew arrived Friday morning after flying more than 540 miles from Kodiak.

The crew hoisted the hunters to the helicopter and took them to Kotlik in good condition.